Parliament calls for clear commitments on climate finance & the release of political prisoners
COP29
Today, Members of the European Parliament are calling on the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku to make clear commitments on climate finance, binding measures on promises made at the COP28 in Dubai and to release all political prisoners in Azerbaijan. The resolution is the European Parliament's mandate for the COP.
Lena Schilling MEP, Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur in the European Parliament's Environment Committee, comments:
“The Parliament is giving the EU delegation a clear mandate for action. Without an ambitious climate finance target and greater global efforts on climate protection, we will not be able to fight the global climate crisis.
“Clear words on the appalling human rights situation in Azerbaijan show that the European Parliament will not remain silent when authoritarian oil regimes trample on human rights.
“However, without greater commitments to its own climate targets and the rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, the EU will lose negotiating power at international level. It is regrettable that the EPP were unable to agree on the minimum target of minus ninety percent emissions by 2040.”
Michael Bloss MEP, Greens/EFA member of the European Parliament's COP29 delegation and member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, comments:
“It is time for the world to finally deliver more than empty words. The climate pledges from the last conference in Dubai must become reality with binding measures - now, not sometime in the future. We need clear commitments for investments in climate protection, adaptation strategies and aid for those who are already footing the bill for failures in climate protection.
“Negotiations on the future of the climate have no place in the hands of fossil-fuelled autocracies and oil executives. It's like letting arsonists run the fire brigade, a complete farce. The COP must finally focus on how host states treat climate activists and human rights defenders. Serious climate protection is not possible without respect for human rights and the selection of hosts must reflect this responsibility.’
“Europe must not shirk its responsibility either: President Von der Leyen, as well as Chancellor Scholz and President Macron, have skipped the COP when they have an obligation to be there and to play a leading role.”
More:
The Greens/EFA will be present at COP29 in Baku with three Members of the European Parliament:
Lena Schilling: Tuesday (19 November) to Friday (22 November)
Michael Bloss: Sunday (17 November) to Saturday (23 November)
Isabella Lövin Vice-Chair of the Committee on Development, Green/EFA member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and former Swedish Minister for the Environment and Climate: Monday 18 November to Friday 22 November
Should you or your colleagues wish to arrange interviews with Greens/EFA Members in Baku then please do not hesitate to reach out to Pia Kohorst from the Press Team. If you are interested in receiving information from the Greens/EFA directly from COP29 in Baku, then let Pia know and we will be happy to add you to our email distribution list and Signal chat.
